Though it could feel a bit more hydrating on dry skin, it's certainly not drying or stripping by any means. The balm melted, emulsified, and transformed into a milky consistency within seconds to cleanse the face and leave it feeling balanced. It's a great option for a wide range of skin tones and the multi-use aspect really adds to the value. Looking for a convenient, affordable cleansing balm that you can find at most drugstores? Try this one. It has a lightweight, smooth consistency that’s formulated with vitamin E to nourish the skin while working to melt away makeup and grime. Contrary to what you might think, those of us with oily skin found that the balm actually helped to balance the skin despite its oily consistency, — removing the excess oil without causing dryness or a tight sensation.

Cleansing balms are cleansers that use oils and emollients to remove dirt, makeup, and buildup from the day without the need for harsh scrubbing," says board-certified dermatologist Carmin Castilla. "They are able to cleanse without stripping the skin of its natural oils and damaging your skin barrier." While most skin types will still want to go in with your usual face wash after using a cleansing balm, these formulas make the entire getting unready process so much easier. So, if your current cleansing routine is more than you bargained for, take a look at cleansing balms. But, before you dive in, know that each balm varies. “Some cleansing balms are more moisturizing than others —you should test them out to find the right fit,” says New York City-based dermatologist Shereene Idriss, MD. Here's what else you should know. What Are Cleansing Balms?

You might think that if you have oily skin, cleansing balms would be too heavy or oily for you—but that’s not necessarily true. According to Dr. Castilla, they make for great makeup removal options regardless of your skin type. However, she says that those with oily skin should implement a double cleansing routine and follow up with their regular cleanser after using a cleansing balm.

Double cleansing is a very effective way of removing make-up and grime where an oil based cleanser, balm or cleansing milk is first used to remove make-up and this is followed by a water based cleanser to remove any remaining dirt. Though we adored the consistency of this popular cleansing balm, we found that it left those with dry and combo skin feeling a bit dry and stripped. During the night your skin’s ability to repair itself is more active compared to the day. A night cream containing retinol, is can help to boost skin recovery when skin is more receptive to active ingredients, helping counterbalance the increase in moisture loss while you sleep. After researching highly-rated options, we selected nearly two dozen to take home and use over the course of two weeks. Once we read the manufacturer's instructions, we used the products as directed to remove makeup, SPF, and dirt at the end of the day. For the purpose of this test, we did not follow up with another cleanser as part of a double cleansing routine, although this is often recommended. After using their cleansing balm, each tester evaluated and rated it based on consistency, oiliness, hydration, cleansing ability, and appearance, and those that scored highest appear on this list. Depending on your preferences and skin needs you can add eye creams, serums and moisturisers to your morning or evening routines. If you want to go hard on moisture, you can choose a face mask for extra hydration and softer skin. Choose a mask that’s best for your skin type and enjoy some pampering.Cleansing balms in general are great for people with dry skin due to their hydrating formulas, but they’re certainly not all created equal. While some have drier, more crumbly textures, others—like this one—are richer and more oily. Formulated with a blend of nourishing oils, like avocado, jojoba, and clove leaf oils, it’s no surprise that this formula is pretty oily on the skin. Cleansing balms are becoming more and more popular thanks to their wonderfully deep-cleansing yet hydrating properties. Discover our edit of the best cleansing balms below, as well as some top application tips. What is a cleansing balm? Assessing your skin type and concerns, Olay’s Beauty Consultants offer tailored tips and knowledge together with skincare product recommendations to give you the full benefit of Olay’s skin science. Know your skin even better with Olay’s Skin Advisor app. Olay’s skin analysis uses AI to find out your skin age and build a personalised beauty routine. 94% of women who tried this service agreed the products recommended were right for them.

Cleansing balms need to be massaged into the skin for a minute or two, as this will help break down their oils so that all makeup and impurities are "grabbed".Why It's Worth It: Contrary to popular belief, those with sensitive skin — especially those who don't tolerate chemical exfoliants as well — can indulge in daily use of skin-care acids. Spiked with gluconolactone, a common type of polyhydroxy acid (or PHA) that exfoliates while not penetrating as deeply as their AHA and BHA cousins, Hanskin's Pore Cleansing Balm PHA is a good fit for all skin types. Even people who experience conditions like eczema or atopic rosacea are good fits since PHAs exfoliate, draw in moisture, and offer comparatively less irritation and photosensitivity. Don’t worry, you don’t have to entirely quit your cleanser just yet. You can use a cleansing balm on its own, or you can use them interchangeably. “I would say to reserve your cleansing balm for days when you use heavy makeup and sunscreen, and use your regular cleanser for normal days,” says Dr. Chimento. And, if you want to double cleanse (which derms give the go-ahead to do), start with your cleansing balm then follow it with your usual cleanser. Aside from some textural inconsistencies in the form of little clumps (they did dissolve during application), it easily broke down makeup and left our skin feeling calm and balanced. It effectively broke down all face and eye makeup—aside from waterproof mascara, which we needed to use a warm cloth to fully remove—and it didn’t feel stripping or too greasy on the skin. We also noticed a reduction in facial rednessover the period that we tested this product because it completely removed the need to harshly rub skin to remove makeup and sunscreen.